Update: I’ve been in contact with the photographer in the above video and we would both like to issue a statement regarding the news of the National Park Service’s decision to put the elk down.
My statement:
I am deeply saddened by the fate of the elk. It has certainly pulled a black cloud over this whirlwind “viral video” experience.
I spoke to the reporter who broke the story and she assured me the decision was based on a pattern of aggressive behavior that began prior to the incident documented in this video. The behavior was the result of visitors feeding the elk and conditioning them to seek food from humans. This video only serves as an example of the elk’s dangerous behavior, not an impetus to it.
Again, it brings me great sadness to learn of this beautiful animal’s demise and the unfortunate circumstances surrounding it.
I’m looking into a destination for proceeds from this video to help the NPS educate visitors on the dangers and consequences of feeding wildlife.
I also want to be clear that James, the photographer, was not complicit in a behavior that led to the elk’s demise, but rather was made an example of the result of such behaviors. The elk approached him from behind, likely looking for food as he was conditioned to do.
Statement from James (the photographer):
I love and respect animals and that’s why I photograph them and don’t hunt them. I am deeply hurt by the loss of such a beautiful creature that in its own way bonded with me. I looked forward to watching him grow to a mature bull as the years passed.
I’m truly heartbroken to know he is gone.
Original video description:
While photographing elk at sunrise in the Cataloochee Valley of Great Smoky Mountains National Park I turned around to see what appeared to be just a curious young bull sniffing a photographer’s camera. I snapped a few frames of the apparent harmless encounter.
But the elk became more interested in making trouble than simply the scent of a camera. He started physically harassing the photographer, escallating to full on head-butts.
I quickly switched the camera to video and let it roll (much of the time wondering when I should seriously consider intervening).
Most people who see this ask why the photographer seems to just take the abuse. I asked him in an email what was going through his head. This is his response:
“My first thoughts were “wow, he’s getting pretty damn close here.” But I’ve been up close before without incident. I hoped being still and passive would see him pass on. When he lowered his antlers to me, I wanted to keep my vitals protected and my head down. I felt that standing up would provoke him more and leave me more vulnerable to goring. I think that while protecting myself with my head down, having my head down was a signal that I was rutting with him. I was concerned at first, but when he started rearing back and lunging at me later on, I got scared and pissed off. That’s when I wagged my finger at him to cut that shit out. I was relieved to see the Ranger coming.
So I guess at some point if the Ranger hadn’t of pulled up, I would have had to disengage the best I could. I’ve joked with my friends that at least he took me for a buck and not a cow!”
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Thanks for checking out the video!
We just had an Australian sadly killed today by a Waipiti deer…is that similar to this species at all?
My video from Smokey Mountain – Dollywood TN – Amazing place https://youtu.be/RtIlWhw9tqY
This elk was the original Harambe…
Press F to pay respects ;_;7
C G I
Tonights dinner…its self defense..just snap the animals neck…dont cower…i do understand the initial shock
Based on some of these comments, I’m gonna assume 90% of the commenters have never seen an elk.
Stupid americans can't kill even a small dear with their barehands.
Hold the horn, bite the ears and tear apart the earlobes while breaking the horn. What is there to do with it?
Check out my Smoky Mountain adventure https://youtu.be/3GD9OlhlPLc
Many of these comments just prove how judgemental certain people can be when you speak of animals. Whatever happens, it’s always an human’s fault.
He should have shot him in the face
The photographer did everything wrong. First never should have made himself smaller, secondly, he is lowering his head which is him saying lets spar to the elk. This elk was killed due to someone being irresponsible in their actions and not knowing the wildlife they're spectating. This is a yearling elk curious of humans as they're apart of their environment and it simply wanted to play and kept getting signs of sparring from the photographer. The photographer should have moved when it started approaching him and never should have sat down. Notice when he stands it backs off until he lunges at it with his head down.
Isnt pokin your head down how they fight?
That animal was not at all aggressive, in fact he was obviously being very careful and gentle at least until the photo pushed back against him much later. Just standing up caused the elk to jump back 20 feet as did any movements, stupid rangers killed him for nothing- because it was the cheapest easiest way to deal with him.
as a photographer, I would have done the same thing as the guy hehehe, everything to get a good shot because thats what you are passionate about
They didn't put it down, just told you they did so you wouldn't sue.
What the fuck this is an elks natural instinct, animals are being put down for this?
The bull looks cute
Irresponsible people think of nature as a Disney movie. The elk was just playing around but interactions like this should absoloutly never ever happen. It always goes badly usually for the animal. Self indulgent bullshit.
He just wanted to play.
The Elk looked like it was trying to help a dumb human out of the roadway. Like, hey, buddy you can't sit in the road that's for cars. As soon as he got up he backed away. So because of one dumb human the Elk died.
Too bad the park officals can't put the stupid person down